During the negotiations, Ral became involved with Deanna Troi, creating a conflict of interest for the counselor when she realized he was hiding his empathic abilities in order to strengthen his negotiating position. Ral secured the rights to the wormhole through a combination of maneuvers including buying out the Caldonian bid and securing a secret deal with DaiMonGoss of the Ferengi delegation. However, the Chrysalians recalled Ral when the wormhole proved unstable and therefore unsuitable for interstellar transport. Before leaving he asked Troi to go with him, but she declined because of her uncertainty over Ral's conduct. (TNG: "The Price")